{"id":150867,"date":"2026-01-27T01:47:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T01:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/150867\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T01:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T01:47:10","slug":"315-kindred-caregivers-to-strike-at-2-orange-county-hospitals-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/150867\/","title":{"rendered":"315 Kindred caregivers to strike at 2 Orange County hospitals \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three hundred union caregivers at hospitals in Brea and Westminster are planning a three-day strike Tuesday, Jan. 27.<\/p>\n

The strike is based on an unfair labor practice charge filed by the National Union of Healthcare Workers against the two Kindred hospitals. NUHW alleges that Kindred used cameras to illegally conduct surveillance on its workers.<\/p>\n

The strike involves 315 nurses, nursing assistants, housekeepers and respiratory therapists \u2014 155 at Kindred Hospital Brea at 875 N. Brea Blvd. and 160 workers at Kindred Hospital Westminster at 200 Hospital Circle.<\/p>\n

The 48-bed hospital in Brea and 109-bed hospital in Westminster treat patients for longer stays, typically after they are discharged from acute-care hospitals.<\/p>\n

The three-year contract in Brea expired June 30, 2025, while the Westminster agreement ended Aug. 30.<\/p>\n

Matthew Garcia, who sits on the NUHW bargaining committee, says the facilities are critical components of the healthcare system, but Kindred, which owns both Orange County facilities, has refused to pay workers enough to avoid rapid turnover that has contributed to understaffing.<\/p>\n

Garcia told the Southern California News Group that his union is seeking more hiring and a 6.5% increase in wages the first year, 6% in the second and 5% in the third year. Kindred has offered 2.5% in the first year, 2.5% in the second and 3% in the third.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe turnover rate is fairly significant due to the low wages,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cWe\u2019re one of the lowest-paid hospitals in Orange County.\u201d<\/p>\n

NUHW spokesman Francisco Castro said the hospital workers are paid $21 an hour.<\/p>\n

After more than five months of contract negotiations, Kindred Healthcare, which is owned by a private equity fund, is \u201cproposing insufficient annual raises that would be less than the current 2.7% rate of inflation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Kindred is part of Louisville, Ky.-based ScionHealth, which is owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Kindred operates long-term acute-care hospitals and provides rehabilitation services.<\/p>\n

ScionHealthcare spokeswoman Jeanie Rittenberry said the top priorities for the hospitals in Brea and Westminster are to \u201cdeliver high\u2011quality, compassionate care\u201d to their patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis week\u2019s strike was a planned event and is a common activity during the bargaining process,\u201d Rittenberry wrote in a statement to SCNG. \u201cOur hospitals remain fully operational, and we have comprehensive plans in place to ensure safe staffing and uninterrupted patient care at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n

ScionHealth remains committed to \u201cbargaining in good faith to reach an agreement that supports our employees, protects our patients, and ensures the long\u2011term stability of our hospitals,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Rittenberry declined further comment.<\/p>\n

Apollo controls 217 hospitals across 36 states, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"About<\/p>\n

About 315 union caregivers at two Orange County hospitals in Brea and Westminster are planing a three-day strike on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Above, caregivers with the National Union of Healthcare Workers at Kindred Hospital Brea picket November 20, 2025. (Courtesy of National Union of Healthcare Workers)\n<\/p>\n

\"About<\/p>\n

About 315 union caregivers at two Orange County hospitals in Brea and Westminster are planing a three-day strike on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Above, caregivers with the National Union of Healthcare Workers at Kindred Hospital Westminster picket on November 20, 2025. Courtesy of National Union of Healthcare Workers\n<\/p>\n

\"About<\/p>\n

About 315 union caregivers at two Orange County hospitals in Brea and Westminster are planing a three-day strike on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Above, caregivers with the National Union of Healthcare Workers at Kindred Hospital Westminster picket on November 20, 2025. (Courtesy of National Union of Healthcare Workers)\n<\/p>\n

\"About<\/p>\n

About 315 union caregivers at two Orange County hospitals in Brea and Westminster are planing a three-day strike on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Above, caregivers with the National Union of Healthcare Workers at Kindred Hospital Westminster picket on November 20, 2025. (Courtesy of National Union of Healthcare Workers)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 4<\/p>\n

About 315 union caregivers at two Orange County hospitals in Brea and Westminster are planing a three-day strike on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Above, caregivers with the National Union of Healthcare Workers at Kindred Hospital Brea picket November 20, 2025. (Courtesy of National Union of Healthcare Workers)\n<\/p>\n

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